mona lisa crowd

3 Insider Tips for Avoiding Crowds in Paris

Paris is one of the top tourist destinations in the world, so it’s no wonder that it can feel as though you’re always surrounded by crowds: in the métro, in the museums, even in shops and restaurants! If you’re looking to avoid crowds, however, we do have a few tips to offer.

1. Avoid the Metro During Peak Hours

Most French people work from 9am to 6pm (and get at least an hour’s break for lunch!) This means that attempting to ride the metro between 8 and 9am and between 5 and 7pm can feel like hell. Instead, try to plan out your days so you’re not underground during those times: you can either get out earlier, sleep a little later, or walk to your first destination and get to know Paris’ neighborhoods on foot.

2. Visit the Louvre at Night

The Louvre is Europe’s largest museum, and it’s at the top of nearly everyone’s list. To keep from attempting to see the Mona Lisa by peering through the light of a thousand selfie sticks, consider taking advantage of the Louvre’s noctournes: the museum usually closes at 6pm, but on Wednesday and Friday evenings, it stays open until 10.

And the Louvre isn’t the only museum to do this! Many museums and exhibits have noctournes – for most museums, including the Musée d’Orsay, this happens on Thursdays, but take a look online to make sure.

Of course, if you really want to say goodbye to the crowds in the Louvre – or any other museum – you can always opt for a guided skip-the-line tour. Not only will you save time waiting in long lines, but you’ll also learn far more about the art than you ever could alone.

3. Eat Where the Parisians Eat

While there are certainly good restaurants near tourist attractions, if you really want to miss the crowds, get out of the 5th and 7th and explore areas that may be new to you. The North Marais and the area around the Canal Saint Martin are super popular with Parisians (and less known among tourists). Here are just a few of our favorite spots: